New Delhi: Fresh violence erupted in Manipur Tuesday when armed individuals attacked a Naga village in Champhai block of Kangpokpi district, burning down several houses, police officers said Wednesday. The Tokpa Naga Village Authority has alleged that the assailants resorted to indiscriminate firing and set fire to nine residential houses, a church and other properties, causing extensive damage and displacing affected families. They said the incident erupted approximately at 9.30 pm.
“A group of armed persons in full camouflage uniforms and allegedly carrying sophisticated automatic weapons entered Tokpa Naga Village,” the body said. Videos shared by residents showed the village engulfed in flames.
A senior police officer said that miscreants fired several rounds at Tokpa Liangmai Naga village, near Tumnoupokpi Thangal village, before setting fire to several houses there. The police said the incident took place around 10 pm Tuesday.
“We are yet to ascertain the exact number of homes burnt down, and are investigating who is behind this attack. Investigation into the matter is underway,” the officer told ThePrint.
The Tokpa Naga Village Authority has further alleged, “Despite timely appeals and emergency requests made by neighbouring villagers, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and Kangpokpi Police stationed at Kalapahar High School, who were stationed in close proximity, did not respond immediately.”
It added, “The alleged failure to respond in a timely manner raises serious concerns regarding negligence and dereliction of duty in providing protection to civilian life and property. The Tokpa Naga Village Authority and the neighbouring Naga villages remain committed to peace, communal harmony, and the rule of law.”
ThePrint has reached out to Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson of the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) for a comment regarding the allegations. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
Just days before the attack Tuesday, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District had also condemned a similar such incident where civilian houses were burned down by “suspected fully automatic arms cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM) at Kailenjang village in Kangpokpi district Monday at around 1.30 pm. “This act is a direct attempt to sabotage peace and spread fear among innocent villagers,” the KSO alleged.
(Edited by Nardeep Singh Dahiya)